Listening: The Key to Successful Communication

As an owner of a small business you will be communicating on a daily basis with both your employees and the customers who will be purchasing your products of service.  Communication is a vital aspect of running a successful business.  Many people in management positions struggle with communication because of poor listening skills.  Your mind will always be cluttered with thoughts and concerns about your business, but the most important thing when having a conversation you will need to stay focused on the conversation and only the conversation.  

    Tips on Improving Listening Skills

• Do maintain eye contact
• Do imitate the body language of the speaker
• Do lean forward and show interest
• Don't multi-task when listening 
• Don't interrupt

Another tip is to use reflective listening when communicating.  This form of listening summarizes what the person has shared and asks for a response.  It reassures the person that you are in fact not only listening, but you are also paying attention to the content that is being told.  With these strategies in hand your communication skills will drastically improve along with your business in the end.